Device for steering vehicles.



W. H. APPLENIAN.

DEVICE FOR STEERING VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.15.1914.

Patented oet. 16,1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET I.

W. H. APPLEIVIAN.

DEVICE FOR STEERING VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I5. |914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IN VEN TOR. WITNESSES 7 if ,X .i f L 2' b l ina WILLIAM I-I. APPLEMAN, OF CLEAN, NEW YORK.

DEVICE FOB. STEERING VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application led October 15, 1914. Serial No. 866,863.

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM H. APPLE- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glean, N. Y., in the county of Cattaraugus, in the State of New York, have invented a new and usefulDevice for Steering Vehicles, of which the following is a specilication. A

My invention relates to improved methods for imparting motion to what is known as the steering arm of steering devices.

The objects of my invention are to provide means for eliminating lost motion in case of wear, reduce the cost of construction, vand render the internal parts of the device far more accessible than those in devices now :in use for a similar purpose.

I attain the objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which, Figure l is a side elevation view partly in section with portions removed in order to afford a more complete view ofA the interior arrangement. Fig. 2 is a view chiefly in section taken through my device at A. A.. portion of the rocking member of my device. Fig. 4f is a front` elevation View, and Fig. 5 a rear elevation view of my device as it would appear when observed at a right angle from the steering post. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal view partly in section showing a slight modification of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an internal plan view of the outer plate of said modication, and indicates that the opening through it is squared part way through said plate. Like numbers indicate like parts throughout the various figures.

A casing or housing l is provided for receivingy and supporting `the various members of my device in their proper relations, said housing being formed in a single piece and containing a circular longitudinal and also aV circular transverse chamber, both of which are machined throughout, thelatter having a lateral external opening on each side equal to the diameter of said transverse chamber. The bore of said longitudinal chamber is reduced at the lower end and forms an abutment for purposes hereinafter mentioned, and the upper end is threaded and provided with small bosses on one side which have a lslotted longitudinal opening through them as well as through the casing` wall to permit of contracting the top of said longitudinal chamber, similar bosses having a slotted opening through them and also Fig. 3 is a plan view of aA through the wall of the transverse chamber permits of the transverse chamber also being contracted when found desirable, said contractions being effected by compression bolts l2L and lb respectively. An externally threadedfadjustable sleeve 2 is linserted in the upper end of the longitudinal chamber which co-acting with the sleeve type abutment atthe lower end of the longitudinal chamber provides longitudinal as well as primary lateral bearing supports for a rotatable tubular steering post 3, the sleeve portion of which is pivotally confined within said bearings, and the longitudinal chamber of housing l. A worm 4 either integral with or rotatably secured to said steering post 3, encircles said post within said longitudinal chamber, said worm being directly sustained laterally by means of special end thrust wearing rings 5 and G, one of which is inserted at each end ofthe worm and thereby contacts with its respective abut-V ment. A. multiple piece rocker consisting primarily of a' shaft 7 and circular flanged plates 8 and 9 is inserted in said transverse chamber, said plates are machined on their inner, as well as peripheral faces, and by contacting p'eripherally journal Afashion as well as ylaterally with the walls of said transverse chamber constitute a most substantial pivotal support-for all members of said rocker already or hereinafter specified. rigidly secured to shaft 7 or may be integral therewith while plate 9 is rotatable as well as laterally adjustable on said shaft. Located between said plates 8 and 9 is a split or two part pinion or sector l0 and ll, said pinion or pinions are of less diameter than the external openings in said transverse chamber, are insertible through it and serve to space said plates at a proper distance apart to cause their flanges to rest slidingly or rotatably against the lateral faces of the walls of said transverse chamber. Both pinion members engage with worm 4, and primarily, both are free to rotate in unison on shaft 7 and also between plates 8 and 9. J ust outside of plate 9 is located a substantial washer 12 having therein a square hole which fits a space on shaft 7 which has been squared to receive it, a further extension of shaft 7 is diametrically reduced, rounded andthreaded and is provided with a nut 13, and a washer la, and vencircling said rounded and threaded portion of shaft 7 and between washers 12 and 14 is placed a short Plate 8 isl heavy flat coil spring 15, which bymbeing and 11 together in a manner that.affordslsub:A

stantially any degree of rigidity required. An' angularrotatable adfustment between` members or pinions 10 anc p11 is effected by the insertion of a taper nose pin `16`which passes through plate 9, pinion l1 and enters slightlyinto a hole or opening in pinionl, said hole having-been drilled at aslight angular advance from the hole in pinion 11 when .considered in relation to t-he natural or primary alinement of the teeth on pinions 101and'11. The hole in plate 9 through. which pin 1G ypasses is threaded and as pin 1Gis alsokthreaded where it contacts with saidplate, it is obvious,that-screwing pin 16 inward will cause a slight rotary discrepancy in the alinement of the teeth of pinionalO andll, which Awill serve to taire up anyand-all slack that may atfany time exist between said teeth andthe threads of worm el. The pin hole stated in pinion 10 is. drilled entirely through said pinion and on theopposite side of said pinion on the same radial line are drilled ar reasonable number of additional holes as indicated in. Fig, 8, these last statedholes however are ydrilled ybutp artw ay through said pinion. On a circumferential line with said holes, a hole isdrilled in plate 8, saidhole being counter bored and threaded from the outer side. Into this. holemay be insertedwhatv I shall .1 designate asanemergency pin 17. This pin is offsuchlength as: will cause it toextend throughplate 8 and enter a short distance into any one of the holes-in pinion 10 that is presentedl toit. Therefore if nut-,13 be slaclrened and pin 17 be omitted,`A plate 9 along with pinions 10 and 11 will be free to rotate toany desired position on shaft 7 and can be so rotated, by merely rotating steering post- 3 along with its worn 4. As soon as'said plate and pinions have been rotated to approximately thedesired position, apartialinsertion of. anda slight pressure on,y pin 17 will cause it Yto register and slightly enter the first one of said holes in pinion 10 which is presentedto it. Pin 17 may be screwed in untilits heador shoulder' jams` against plate 8 aftery which by tightening upnut 13, the thusassembled rocker becomes absolutely rigid. Incidental to the machining of theV internal, flat or parallel faces.l of plates 8` and 9.and pi'nionslO and 1,1,fa slight clearance cut is taken commencing at the opening through which shaftv 7 enters them and extending outward about two thirds of theirv diameteror to a point indicated by the heavy shaded circularline Virrldfigrg.` 7. This results ,in concentrating the bite orv compressional. contact, between said plates,v and pinionspat -apoint reasonably near their peripheries, The diameters of said plates and pinions at their average point of contactyi'vill-varyl to soigne extent but will at least approximate n3" while the average rocker, shaft-will hardly exceed 19,7 in diameter in this or similar devices of average size. It-istherefore a well lrno\vn.a.nclfdem onstratable fact that a reasonably stiftpull emergency pin 17 be omitted. It is'therefore my contentionithat if e'rnergencyvpin 17 be omittedandnut 13'be only tightened sufficiently to grip pinions 10 and11-"or10a tight enough*` to meet ordinary steering requirements said pinion or Apinions lmay still be permitted to yield slightly under severe shocks against steering arm 18 without injury to the steering mechanism, and withoutcausing the driver to lose control of-the vehicle. lf," however, thedriver wishesto do so, he would at all times, be atliberty to notonly insert theemergency pin, but also irrespective of' it tor draw nut 13- up tight enough Vto overcome spring 15 and thereby make the entire rocker substantially rgidas if all'parts thereof werev integral.

In Figs. 6 and 7 l` have presenteda modi- Y ication of'the rocking member of my device, Fig. 6 being a plan view` chiefly in section and taken through thev rocker only, on a line indicated'by Airfk. in Fig.- 1. Fig. 7 is aplan or internalface, View of the outer circular plate 9, .ofI said rocker. 1n the modification, however, shaft 7,*plate-8V and the emergency pin are. substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 1 to 15 inclusive, a single pinion 10 simply. takes the place of pinions 1Q' andgll. Itl is drilledjon the side facing thecrank armY extensionl of shaft 7j in the samelmanner asI pinion 10 and is subject to the same method of rotation a nd emergency'pin securement. Circular plate 9, however, is drilled partly through to match the round portion of shaft 7 whilel the remaining portion has said hole slightly reducedv and squared to lit the sqiliared portion of said shaft that ylays within its confines,l consequently plate 9 is not rotatable on s haft7,'andjdoes not need to be asit doesfnotinclude or require the use of the adjustment pinlG shown in Fig, 2.U A saucer shaped and `properly temperedelas- .tic steel platelet?islocated'between plate 9 andl nut .13 Kinstead 'of the 'coil spring shown in Figs.` 2, l Vand5.,itltllOUgh if, desired shaft 7 p may be further'extended jandsaidi coil spring substituted. Ordinarily pinion 1 0 is klocked against or securedfto'plates 8 and'9 by compression which is 'produced by means of tightening up nut 13, but if desired it may be further secured by the insertion and use of the emergency pin 17. In either type of rocker, however, the user, if he sees fit can tighten nut 13 sufficiently to close spring 15a as well as coil spring 15 down tight, and thus cause them to act as solid rings or washers, r the springs may be entirely removed if desired, thus rendering either type of rocker extremely rigid. Steering post 3 is insertible through the upper opening in housing 1, and in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive may be inserted either before or after the rocker is inserted, but when the rocker shown in the modification Fig. 6 is used, the adoption of a single instead of a split pinion renders it necessary for the steering post to be inserted after the rocker has been inserted.

yEither rocker is adaptable to the same housing and in each, the circular, external openings into the transverse chamber of said housing, are closed by the circular plates of said rocker.

The operation of my device is extremely simple, and while I have not deemed it necessary to show or describe that portion of the steering post leading up to and carrying the hand steering wheel, yet it is obvious to any one reasonably skilled in the art, that such additions are necessary and contemplated along with the various reach lrods leading to the vaxles of the vehicle.

Turning the steering post 3 with its worm 4. which engages with the two part pinions 10 and 11 or 10a, causes said pinions to rotate correspondingly, and inasmuch as said pinions are locked to plates 8 and 9 and through them to shaft 7 the entire rocker is caused to rock or rotate proportionately in either direction carrying arm 18 with it, thus imparting the desired reciprocating motion to such reach rods and other mechanism as may be employed in order to reach the axles of the vehicle. The .device ordinarily is attachable to the vehicle by insert- 'ing the external and rounded portion of rock shaft 7 in a hollow sleeve attached to the frame of the vehicle, but when so desired this connection may be supplemented by brackets made integral with or attached to housing 1.

I ani aware that split or two part pinions are extensively used in connection with segments or racks in saw mill head blocks and similar devices for the purpose of eliminating lost motion between said pinions and said racks, but in their application neither of the pinions however, are in a true sense rotatable on their supporting shaft or with a view of bringing them into contact with unworn portions of either the pinions or racks. Usually one of said pinions is rigidly secured to the shaft, while the other is placed alongside of it; and is provided `with a limited rotatable adjustment of one or two degrees. I do not therefore. seek a broad claim on the use of split pinions for all purposes. Y

I do not know, however, of an instance in which split pinions are used in connection with a steering post and worm, or worm alone, or where they aregiven the functions attached to those shown in my device.

Figs. 9 and 10 also present a modification of my device, Fig. 9 being an elevation view chiefly in section with portions removed, while Fig. 10 is a transverse view chiefly in section, taken at a point corresponding with A. A. in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 9 and 10 the distinction consists in slight modification in the housing, pinion and rocker, whereby the rocker is journaled entirely within housing 1, and the bite or contact between the pinion and other rocker members is increased with less compression than is required in Figs. 2 and 6. This effect is produced by constructing pinion 10b in the form of a ring having tapering internal faces, and of causing plates 8a and 9a (which take the place of plates 8 and 9 in Figs. 2 and 6) to contact with said internal bevel faces instead of its side or lateral faces. Plate 81 is peripherally journaled.. against the internal circular walls of the transverse chamber, while in order to render all internal parts accessible the large veXternal circular opening into the transverse chamber is closed by a non-rotatable removable circular plate 1d which fits therein, is securely fastened to housing 1 by 4 bolts c1 and at the same time is internally chambered in such manner as to provide a peripheral journal support for plate 9"I of the rocking member. In order to transfer the compressional force of nut 13 to plates 9a and 8a and through them to pinion 10b, a ring or circular plate 122L is inserted between them which contacts on one side with plate 9 and on its other side with nut 13, or first against elastic plates 15a in the event that the latter is used in order to give. elasticity to the action4 of nut 13 uponplates 9a. A still further modification of my device is illustrated by Fig. 12, which is also a transverse View chiefly in section, taken at a point corresponding with A. A. in Fig. 2. In this modification circular plates 8 and 9 or 8a and 9'LL are dispensed with, and the pinion which. is designated by 10c has a taper bore which contacts direct with rock shaft 7 and which is also tapered to fit said pinion, this slight change calls for a more central form of'trunnion than any of the preceding figures, all of which are provided in a reduced diametrical form but similar to those shown in Fig. 10, the removable nonrotatable plate 1ri and bolts 1c being employed, and the compression force of nut 13 being delivered against pinion 10c through plate Si must be driven of of shaft; 7 in ordentoidisengage and removezit.. In; each modification, however, the pinions employed are eitherr directly on indirectly. lockedf to rock shaft 7j by co1npression,.and which is I preferably; produced byv means ot nut 13u in substantially-the manner shown, and Which is; externally controlled.

Vhat I. claim is 1.-

L. The .combination of a housing havinga longitudinal and a circulan'transverse-chamvberf therein, a rotatable steeringfposttenter.- ing. said longitudinal chamberuhaving3 a wormethereon, a; rocker journaled in: said transverse chamber carrying a; circular plate which pivotally engagesperipherally With the! circular Walls of" said; trans-verse: chainberf, a pinionon saidf.rockerfvvhichgengages ywith said i ivormx, andmeans forlo'eling said pinioni rig-idly to said. rocken.

2.x The combination; of a.-ho.using having ai longitudinal ande a circular transverse chamberl therein, a. rotatable steering` post enteringi said; longitudinal 'chamber having a VWorm thereon, arocker I journaled in: said transverse chamber. carryingfaicircularfplate which. engages peripherally vvithi the: circular- Walls of said .chambery a: longitudinal Lextension on saidrockerrcarrying. a-.thread and nut, a pinion mountedy on. said: rocken between. said circulan plate and said nut', vsaid ypinionibeing rigidly lockedy to said rocker by screwing said. nutatowardvsaid pla-te,.and teeth on said 'pinion Wvliichiengageswith a said Worm.

y351 The combination) of a f housing; having a longitudinalv andv aY transverse chamber therein, rotatable steering post entering said; longitudinali chamber havingf. a; thread thereon, a` rockere yjournaled in. said:` .transverse chamber comprising'.vrv ai circulan plate, a .pinion carried byr said rocker' Whichf engages :with said worm, .and i means f for flocking. said pinion rigidly to saidzcircular plate.

. t. The combination .of ahousing having a longitudinal chamber `therein and also having a transverse chamber.havinganexternal opening. therein, a rotatablea.- steering post entering saidi longitudinal a chamber; .havin-g aavorm thereon,` a rocker journaled'sinasaid housing i carrying an .externa-ily; exposed ici-rculan plate. which; closes@ said :external fopennaga-1n;A sa-1d transverse. chainb'eIy4 and pinion alsoV carried. by said rocker ;V which en- .gages Withzsaid Worm, saidpinion` being of and a pinion. confined between said plates which yengages `with said Worm.

G. 'lihe combination of' a housing having a longitudinal sand transverse chamber therein,` ai rotatable steering'. post entering said.V longitudinal chamber having a Worm thereon', a'- rocker inserted: in: said. transverse chamberv carnying: a pinion which engages with said; Worm, and. means for pivotally supporting; said] rocker upon the circular Walls of said transverse chamber-Which lie diametrically outsideof' saidy pinion.

7. rThe combination of. a housing having a; longitudinal `and a transverse chamber therein, ai rotatable steering post entering said.- longitudinal chamber havinga'- Worm thereon, al rocken journaled insaid transverse chamber' comprising. al peripherally j ournaledv circular plate,.ai pinion Which engages Withsaid Worm, an: elasticmeinber, and. aA threaded. memberxiitted with a nut, saidLelastic. meinber 'being' externally' located between saidznut Yand said pinion.

8*. rlfhecombination ofv ai housing.' having a longitudinalI and a transverse chamber therein, ai rotatable. steering-post entering said longitudinal.chamber having a Worm thereon,. a rocker journaled in said" transverse :chamber .comprising afcircularl pla-te, a pinion `which engages With. said.' vv-ornn.V a means `for: locking.' said' pinion to. said plate by' compression'. andi additionalV means for further.: securing said piniontosai'd'plate.

9. Bhe combination oit a' housinghaving a longitudinal. andi a1 transverse chamber therein, a. rotatablel steering:r post`v` entering said: longitudinal chamber havingy a Worm thereon,l a rocker journaled in; said transverse chamber carrying a two partpinion, botlrmembersy of Which. engage With: said worm, .areirotatablyi adjustable inrelation -to eachother, and externally'..accessible means foi-making said-adjustment. Y

l0. The-combination .of a;housing. having a. longitudinal and a transverse chamber therein, .a rotatable steering p'ostiinsertediin said longitudinal Vchamber having a. Worm thereon, a= rocker. journaled in said transverse' lchamber comprising/ a rocking shaft, andtastoothed member, said toothed member havingf a'. meshing eng'agem'entr vvithsaid Worrnf and` also bei-ng* releasable-4` separable and removable from said rocker irrespective of any separation of said housing and rocking shaft.

11. The combination of a housing having a longitudinal and also a transverse chamber therein, a rotatable steering post inserted in said longitudinal' chamber having a Worm thereon, a rocker inserted in said transverse chamber comprising a shaft having a plate type abutment7 and carrying a pinion which is rotatably adjustable on said shaft and in its relation to said abutment, a

means for precisely predetermining and fixing the rotatable relation between said shaft and said abutment through which said pin- 15 W. H. APPLEMAN.

Witnesses W. P. CLARK, H. R. KEENE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

Correction in Letters Patent No.. 1,243,379

It is hereb;T certied that in Letters Patent No. 1,243,379, granted Gctober 16, 1917, upon the application of William H. Appleman, of Olean, New York, for an improvement in Devices for Steering Vehicles, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, strike out all matter beginning with line 75 to and including line 20, page 4; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oliice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of February, A. D., 1918.

[SEAL] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting ommfissioner of Patents. 

